Roasted Goose Breast with Cherry-Port Reduction

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Succulent roasted goose breast served with a rich cherry and port wine sauce that balances savory and sweet flavors. This french-inspired quick meals ready in about 35 minutes pairs (8 oz each) goose breast, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 French cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Pat dry 2 goose breasts (8 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Step 2: Sear goose breasts skin-side down for 5 minutes until skin is golden and crispy, then flip and sear the other side for 2 minutes. Add 3 sprigs fresh thyme and transfer skillet to the oven. Roast for 8 minutes until medium rare.
  3. Step 3: Remove goose breasts from skillet and let rest covered loosely with foil for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat and sauté 1 finely chopped shallot and 1 minced garlic clove until translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Add 1/2 cup cherry preserves and 3/4 cup dry port wine to the saucepan. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Step 5: Slice the rested goose breast thinly and drizzle with the warm cherry-port reduction before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Roasted Goose Breast with Cherry-Port Reduction take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Roasted Goose Breast with Cherry-Port Reduction?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (8 oz each) goose breast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Roasted Goose Breast with Cherry-Port Reduction?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Roasted Goose Breast with Cherry-Port Reduction for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Roasted Goose Breast with Cherry-Port Reduction?

French quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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